About Exploring


Law Enforcement Career Exploring is open to young men and women ages 14 (and completed the 8th grade) through 21 years old with an interest in learning more about careers in the field of Law Enforcement.


Law Enforcement Exploring provides educational training programs for young adults on the purposes, mission, and objectives of law enforcement. The program provides career orientation experiences, leadership opportunities, and community service activities. The primary goals of the program are to help young adults choose a career path within law enforcement and to challenge them to become responsible citizens of their communities and the nation.


Agencies from federal, state, and local levels coordinate the law enforcement exploring programs throughout the United States. The majority of the community programs are managed by local police departments, including Sheriffs, Chiefs of Police, and State Police. In addition, many federal agencies offer their support. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), Federal Air Marshal Service, US Army Military Police, US Customs and Border Protection Service, US Marshals Service, US Postal Inspection Service, and US Secret Service provide national programs, scholarships, workshops, and literature. Also, Law Enforcement Exploring is supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.


Nationally, over 33,000 Explorers and 8,425 adult volunteers participate in Law Enforcement Exploring. The program highlights include: the National Law Enforcement Exploring Leadership Academies, ride-alongs, career achievement awards, National Law Enforcement Exploring Conferences, and scholarship opportunities.

The most popular Law Enforcement Exploring careers include:

  • Police Officers
  • Sheriffs
  • Federal Agents
  • State Police/Highway Patrol


  • Probation Officers
  • Military Police
  • Correction Officers

Law Enforcement Exploring combines some classroom training with Ride-Alongs in police vehicles, Pistol Shooting, Community Policing and much more…You will develop:

  • Leadership Skills
  • Respect for police officers & explorers
  • New personal skills
  • Marksmanship
  • Law Enforcement Protocols

You will be trained in:

  • Rules and Regulations
  • Police history
  • Ethics & Moral Issues
  • Constitutional Law
  • Juvenile Law
  • Traffic Law
  • Arrest and Search
  • Use of Force
  • Firearms safety
  • Report Writing & Note taking
  • CPR & First Aid
  • Patrol Procedures
  • Domestic Disturbances
  • Crowd & Traffic Control
  • Crime Scene Investigation
  • Field searches
  • Control Substances Awareness
  • Building Searches
  • Accident Investigations
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Honor Guard Training
  • White Collar Crimes
  • Burglary in Progress
  • Radio Communications
  • Accident Investigations

You will have an opportunity to participate in:

  • Ride-Alongs
  • National Events & Competitions
  • Community Service


You will have an opportunity to network with:

  • Explorers across the USA
  • Law Enforcement Officers
  • Federal Agencies

Law Enforcement Career Exploring will provide you with the following benefits:

*You will learn about the educational requirements for a career in Law Enforcement and will receive tangible advice on steps you could take now to prepare and position yourself for a successful career in the field of Law Enforcement

  • Improved self-confidence
  • Leadership experience and social network development
  • Fun and Exciting “hands-on” career experiences
  • Community service opportunities
  • College & Career Readiness preparation
  • Team building

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